System and Method for Lottery Ticket Verification by Players

ABSTRACT

A first server system stores a validation file having validation records for lottery tickets provided to players and is accessible by authorized lottery personnel for verifying the status of a lottery ticket. A second server system stores a verification file having verification records for the lottery tickets provided to the players and is made accessible to players prior to redemption of the lottery ticket, wherein a player enters a code provided on the lottery ticket that is linked to the specific verification record for the lottery ticket and is provided with the winning or losing status of the lottery ticket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of implementing lottery games, more particularly to systems and method for verifying the status of lottery tickets.

BACKGROUND

“Scratch-off” or “instant-win” lottery tickets have enjoyed immense popularity in the lottery industry for decades. For example, the market in the United States alone for state-sponsored instant (“scratch-off”) lottery tickets is estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. These games offer distinct advantages to the lottery authorities, and are attractive to a broad spectrum of players. However, in order to sustain the public's interest in the instant games, new and different types of games and innovations are being constantly developed by the lottery industry. For example, it is desirable to provide new and innovate games that not only provide the opportunity for a player to win a prize, but also provide a variety of ways of winning the prize, which adds to the entertainment value of the lottery ticket and interest in the game.

As scratch-off lottery tickets evolve into more complex games, particularly with multiple or compound prize structures, players need to feel comfortable with the integrity of the verification process wherein the tickets are presented for redemption. For certain games and players, it is not always readily evident as to whether or not a ticket is a winning ticket, or the amount or value of the respective prize. It is not uncommon for players to unintentionally discard winning tickets, believing the ticket is a looser, or to redeem a ticket for what they believe to be a particular prize only to be informed that the ticket is a loser. There are times when the actual prize is greater or less than what is expected by the player. In these situations, players are often left to rely on the integrity of the store or retail clerk who verifies the ticket to relay the correct validation information regarding the ticket.

Unfortunately, there have been instances wherein unscrupulous clerks (or other persons) have defrauded players by informing them that an actual winning lottery ticket submitted for redemption is not a winner, or that the prize award is not as great as the player believes, particularly if the clerk suspects that the player is unaware of the value of the ticket. These instances can, for certain players, result in a loss of confidence in the integrity of the lottery system.

A system and method that allows players to actively participate in the verification of their lottery tickets and discourages fraud or theft in the redemption process would be welcomed by the lottery industry and players alike.

SUMMARY

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In particular embodiments, a method or system are provided for verifying lottery tickets that are provided to players by a lottery gaming authority. A first server system is maintained by the lottery gaming authority and stores a validation file having validation records for the lottery tickets provided to the players. The respective validation records contain information indicating the winning status of the lottery ticket and, for a winning ticket, the value of the respective prize amount. The first server system is accessible by authorized lottery personnel for validating the status of a lottery ticket submitted for redemption by a player by, for example, entering a secure validation code provided on the lottery ticket that is linked to a specific validation record for the respective lottery ticket contained in the validation file.

A second server system stores a separate verification file having verification records for the lottery tickets provided to the players, with the respective verification records containing information as to the winning or losing status of the lottery ticket and, for a winning ticket, may also include the value of a prize amount. The second server system is accessible by players prior to redemption and system validation of their lottery ticket and is distinct from the validation server system. For example, the player may enter a code provided on the lottery ticket that is linked to the specific verification record for the lottery ticket stored in the second server verification file. The player is then provided with the winning or losing status of the lottery ticket. If the ticket is a winner, the player may also be provided with an indication of the value of any prize amount. With this unique system and method configuration, the player has the option to be independently informed of the status of their lottery ticket prior to submitting the lottery ticket to lottery personnel for redemption and system validation.

In particular embodiments, the second server system is accessible by players via an Internet site with an Internet-enabled device, such as a smart phone, personal computer, PDA, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the verification file stored on the second game server may be essentially a duplicate of the validation file stored on the lottery gaming authority server. In other embodiments, the records in the verification file may contain more or less information regarding the lottery tickets as compared to the records in the validation file.

In other embodiments, it may be desired that the verification records in the verification file also include information that positively indicates to the player a losing status of a lottery ticket. In other words, the player may receive a positive indication that the lottery ticket is either a winning or a losing ticket.

The validation and verification files may be generated by a lottery provider, with the validation file supplied to the lottery gaming authority from the lottery provider. The same lottery provider may maintain the verification file on the second server system.

With certain embodiments, the code entered by the player in the second server system is the same validation code entered by the lottery personnel in the first server system. This code may be a validation code that is provided on the lottery ticket under a scratch-off coating that is removed by the player.

In a different embodiment, the code entered by the player in the second server system is different than the validation code entered by the lottery personnel in the first server system. For example, the lottery ticket may include a separate player verification code that is provided under the same or a separate scratch-off area on the ticket for this purpose. This player verification code may be randomly generated and linked to a specific record in the verification file.

The player verification code and/or lottery retailer validation code may be provided in various forms on the lottery ticket. For example, the codes may be in alpha-numeric form. In other embodiments, the codes may be provided in scannable or other machine-readable form (e.g., bar code, QR code, etc.) on the lottery ticket for subsequent reading and entry by a device that is in communication with the second server system, such as a scanner or smart phone.

Additional aspects of the methodology and system are discussed in greater detail below by reference to particular non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system and methodology in accordance with aspects of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a lottery ticket that may be used with the system and method of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a system and methodology in accordance with aspects of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of another embodiment of a lottery ticket that may be used with the system and method of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the inventive methods and systems, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each embodiment is presented by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention.

FIG. 1 depicts certain conceptual principles of a system 50 for verifying lottery tickets that are provided to players by a gaming authority. It should be understood that the present inventive system and associated methods are not limited by any particular type of game, and the term “lottery game” is used herein to denote any type of game offered to eligible persons, such as a draw game, instant-win game, instant scratch-off game, and the like. The games may be presented to players purely for entertainment value at no cost to the player. Prizes may be awarded to a player for a winning game play, which may include a cash award. In certain embodiments, the player places a wager amount for play of the lottery game in the hopes of winning a cash award or other type of prize. For example, the player may purchase a lottery ticket from an authorized lottery retailer.

In the system 50 and methodology depicted in FIG. 1, the game may be administered by a lottery provider 52, which is the entity that provides lottery tickets 10 to a gaming authority or administrator. In an alternate embodiment, the lottery provider 52 and gaming authority may be the same entity. The gaming authority may be, for example, a state or other regional governmental entity that provides lottery games to eligible players via authorized retailers or retail establishments 54. In the United States, for example, the gaming authority may be a state or affiliation of states that offers lottery games to their residents via the sale of lottery tickets at authorized retail establishments.

The gaming authority typically utilizes a central host computer system 64 in communication with various retail establishments 54, typically via a lottery terminal maintained at the retail establishments (also referred to as point-of-sale terminals). Typically, a vast number of such terminals are operatively coupled to the central host computer system 64 via any suitable communications network, which may be, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a telephone system, and so forth. In a particular embodiment, the lottery network may include a state lottery system operating within an individual state or region of states, wherein the lottery terminals are interconnected to the game administrator and host computer 64 directly or through an intermediary network for tracking, administration, and coordination of the state lottery system, including sale and control of issued tickets, prizes, amounts waged, and so forth. It should be readily appreciated that the present invention encompasses any suitable systems and communications architecture that provides the authorized lottery retailers with the ability to communicate and interact with the game administrator's central host computer system 64.

The host computer system 64 may be a single networked computer, or a series of interconnected computers having access to the lottery system or network via any suitable networking system. Generally, such computer systems 64 are configured to manage, execute, and control the individual lottery terminals and the routines used to play various lottery games, or track information related to the sale and distribution of pre-printed instant lottery tickets, such as scratch-off lottery tickets. The host computer 64 may include memory for storing lottery programs, files, and routines, a microprocessor for executing stored routines, random access memory (RAM), and an input/output (I/O) bus. In addition, the host computer 64 may be in communication with any manner of external device, including external databases. Such databases may provide a data repository for the storage and correlation of information gathered from the individual lottery terminals relating to the individual terminals, such as terminal specific information like the machine ID, sales establishment, location, and ticket-specific information. It should be readily appreciated that the host computer 64 may encompass any configuration of hardware and software applications necessary to manage, execute, and control administration of the lottery game.

Still referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, a verification server system 70 is provided with any suitable hardware and software configuration for enabling individual player verification of a lottery ticket, as explained in greater detail below. In general, players 36 may access a lottery site (e.g., an Internet site) maintained by the server system 70 via a network-enabled device 38 and communications network 40, such as the Internet. The network-enabled device may be, for example, a personal computer, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other intelligent communications device. The communication network may be, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a telephone system, and so forth. In a particular embodiment, the verification server system 70 maintains an Internet lottery site accessible to players via the Internet 40.

It should be appreciated that the present game system and method are not limited to an Internet implementation, but encompass any system configuration wherein players are provided access to a lottery site via a communications network. This network may be a WAN or LAN provided, for example, solely to patrons of certain establishment, such as a casino or other type of gaming house.

FIGS. 2 and 4 represent embodiments of a lottery ticket 10 that may be applicable to the present system and method. In these particular embodiments, the ticket 10 is a scratch-off ticket that is typically sold at an authorized lottery retailer. The ticket 10 includes any manner of indicia 12 that advertises, describes, illustrates, or in any way presents aspects of the particular lottery game to a purchaser. The lottery ticket 10 may include a game area 14 that implements an instant-win game wherein players play a scratch-off game in the game area 14. As is well known, typical scratch-off games include game indicia 20 that is covered by a removable coating 16. The player removes the coating 16 and the revealed game indicia 20 determines whether or not the ticket represents a win or loss. Instructions 22 are typically provided on how to play the game, as well as prize information 24. It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited by any particular type of additional game component implemented by the ticket, and that the scratch-off game depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4 is for representative purposes only.

In an alternate embodiment, the lottery ticket 10 may also be an entry into a draw game, such as POWERBALL or MEGAMILLIONS, wherein indicia selected by the player (or randomly selected for the player) is presented on the ticket and compared to indicia randomly generated in a subsequent draw event to determine if the ticket is a winner.

In the ticket embodiment of FIG. 2, the lottery ticket 10 includes a validation code 30 that may be covered by a scratch-off coating 28. With conventional systems, this validation code 30 is uncovered by the lottery retailer when the player believes the ticket is a winner and the ticket 10 is presented for redemption. The scratch-off coating 28 is a security feature that deters store clerks (or others) having access to the host computer system 64 from attempting to discern winning tickets prior to sale. The coating 28 may be marked with a “void if removed” or other suitable warning that notifies the player that the ticket should not be purchased if the coating has been tampered with. The code 30 may be in alpha-numeric form, or machine readable form, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code that is scanned by a lottery terminal at the authorized lottery retailer 54.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the lottery provider 52 typically generates and maintains an electronic game data file 60 for each of the lottery games administered by the lottery provider. The data file 60 may include an individual record 62 for each lottery ticket that is produced. The individual record 62 may include the serial number assigned to each ticket, as well as a validation number independently assigned to each ticket. The serial numbers are typically provided for control of ticket distribution, accounting of tickets, and so forth. The validation number associated with each lottery ticket 10 is used to securely establish the pre-determined result of each ticket, including the win or loss status of the ticket, prize amount, and so forth.

The lottery provider 52 generates and supplies a validation file 66 that is maintained by the host computer system 64. This validation file 66 typically includes a validation record 68 for each of the lottery tickets provided to the lottery authority for sale. The validation records 68 will generally include an encrypted form of the validation record information contained in the records 62 maintained by the lottery provider 52. For security reasons, the validation file 66 is not provided with linked serial numbers for the respective tickets 10. In this way, a person gaining unauthorized access to the validation records in the validation file 66 or data file 60 will not be able to determine the location of winning tickets without the linked serial number.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the player 36 in receipt of a lottery ticket 10 that they believe to be a winning ticket will present the ticket to an authorized redemption location (after independent verification as discussed below), which is typically an authorized retailer 54 for sale of lottery tickets up to a specified prize amount. When the ticket 10 is presented, the clerk or other authorized person will remove the scratch-off coating 28 (FIG. 2) from the validation code 30. The code 30 is then scanned (or otherwise entered) into a lottery terminal or other device that is in communication with the host computer system 64. The code 30 is linked to the validation record 66 associated with the particular ticket, whereby the pre-determined prize amount associated with the ticket is retrieved and transmitted to the lottery terminal at the retailer location 54. The ticket may then be “marked” in the first server system as “paid” if the ticket is, in fact, a winning ticket.

The separate verification server system 70 includes a verification file 72 containing individual verification records 74 associated with the lottery tickets 10. This verification file 72 may be an encrypted form of the validation file 66 maintained by the host computer system 64. As mentioned, the verification server system 70 may be maintained by the lottery provider 52 or, in an alternative embodiment, the verification server system 70 may be maintained by the lottery authority. As discussed, the player 36 may access the verification server system 70 via an internet-enabled device 38 and communications network 40, such as the Internet. Referring to FIG. 2, the lottery ticket 10 may include verification instructions 26 that direct the player 36 to a website wherein the player may enter the code 30 and independently verify the status of the ticket (including the win or loss status as well as a prize amount) prior to presenting the ticket to the lottery retailer 54. If the player elects this option, then the player removes the scratch-off coating 28 and the ticket is subsequently presented for redemption to the lottery retailer 54 with the coating 28 removed.

The verification server system 70 functions essentially as described above with respect to the host computer system 64 in that the validation code 30 is linked to a specific verification record 74 for the particular lottery ticket. The verification information is retrieved and transmitted to the player's Internet-enabled device 38, and indicates to the player 36 the status of the ticket, such as whether or not the ticket is a winner and, if so, the prize amount may also be indicated. In a certain embodiment, the verification information may simply indicate if the ticket is a winner, and may or may not actually indicate the prize amount. In another embodiment, the verification information may also positively indicate to the player that the lottery ticket is a loser. In this way, the player has a positive indication of the status of the ticket and need not subsequently present the ticket for redemption.

It should be appreciated from the discussion of FIGS. 1 and 2 that, in this particular system and method, the validation code 30 entered by the player in the verification server system 70 is the same validation code entered by the lottery personnel in the host computer system 64. The validation code 30 may include an alpha-numeric component such that the player 36 may enter the code via any device 38 having the capability to accept alpha-numeric characters, for example via a keyboard. The code 30 may also be presented in a machine-readable form, such as a scannable barcode, so that the ticket 10 is quickly scanned by a lottery terminal at the retailer 54. The player 36 may also take advantage of the barcode format with certain types of internet-enabled devices 38 having scanning capability.

It should be appreciated that the ability for the player 36 to independently verify the status of their lottery ticket 10 via a device 38 of their choosing will provide certain players with a sense of security and confidence in the lottery system. This is particularly true for more complex games wherein the win or loss status of the ticket may not be readily apparent to the player, or prize amount. If the player has any question whatsoever as to the status of the ticket 10, they can simply hold on to the ticket 10 and verify the status of the ticket via the verification server system 70 at a time of their choosing. If the ticket 10 is a winning ticket, then the player 36 is in possession of this knowledge prior to redemption of the ticket at the retailer 54, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood that a fraudulent clerk or other person can defraud the player of all or any portion of a prize award.

The present system and methodology also benefits lottery retailers. Players routinely ask store clerks to check the status of multiple (e.g. a stack) of non-winning tickets to ensure that they are not discarding actual winning tickets. This is unproductive time for store employees, and a general nuisance to other customers. The present system and methodology allows the players to check the status themselves, thus alleviating the burden on the retailer.

The system and method embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in this embodiment, the lottery ticket 10 is provided with a separate player verification code 32 and lottery validation code 34. Each of these codes may be covered by a removable scratch-off coating 28, as discussed above. The player verification code 32 may be in a different form as compared to the lottery validation code 34, or it may be a different code altogether. The coating 28 over the player verification code 32 may be marked with a warning that the ticket is void if the coating 28 is removed prior to purchase. If the player is presented the ticket 10 for sale and any portion of the coating 28 over the player verification 32 (or over the lottery validation code 34) is removed or tampered with, then the player has an indication that an attempt has been made to discern the player verification code 32 for the purposes of accessing the verification server system 70 to determine the status of the ticket.

Referring to FIG. 3, the player verification codes 32 may, in a particular embodiment, be randomly generated and linked to a particular ticket record 62 in the game data file 60 generated by the lottery provider 52. These codes 32 are not supplied to the host computer system 64, but are provided to the verification server system 70 and maintained with the individual ticket records 74 in the verification file 72. The only way to access the validation information for a respective ticket via the verification server system 70 is thus to have access to the randomly generated code 32 that was linked to the respective record 74. Thus, even if a clerk (or other person) were inclined to discern the winning status of tickets 10 prior to sale, such attempt would involve removal of all or a portion of the coating 28 over the player validation code 32, as well as entry of the code via an internet enabled device 38. The player verification code 32 would not provide access to the validation records 68 in the host computer system 64.

Although not discussed in detail herein, it should be readily appreciated that the transfer of the various files and records between the different entities depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3 may include any manner of encryption and other security measures that are well known to those skilled in the art and need not be discussed in detail herein.

The material particularly shown and described above is not meant to be limiting, but instead serves to show and teach various exemplary implementations of the present subject matter. As set forth in the attached claims, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and sub-combinations of various features discussed herein, along with such variations and modifications as would occur to a person of skill in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for verifying lottery tickets that are provided to players by a lottery gaming authority, comprising: on a first server system maintained by the lottery gaming authority, storing a validation file having validation records for the lottery tickets provided to the players, the respective validation records containing information as to the winning status of the lottery ticket and, for a winning ticket, the value of a prize amount; the first server system being accessible by authorized lottery personnel for verifying the status of a lottery ticket submitted for redemption by a player by entering a validation code provided on the lottery ticket, the validation code linked to a specific validation record for the respective lottery ticket; on a second server system, storing a verification file having verification records for the lottery tickets provided to the players, the respective validation records containing information as to the winning status of the lottery ticket; making the second server system accessible by players prior to redemption of the lottery ticket, wherein a player enters a code provided on the lottery ticket that is linked to the specific validation record for the lottery ticket and is provided with the winning or losing status of the lottery ticket; and wherein the player is thus independently informed of the status of their lottery ticket prior to submitting the lottery ticket to the lottery personnel for redemption.
 2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the second server system is accessible by players via the Internet with an Internet-enabled device.
 3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the verification file stored on the second game server is a form of the validation file stored on the lottery gaming authority server.
 4. The method as in claim 1, wherein the verification records in the verification file also include information that positively indicates to the player a losing status of a lottery ticket.
 5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the verification records in the verification file also include information that indicates to the player the prize amount for a winning lottery ticket.
 6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the validation file and verification file are generated by a lottery provider, the validation file supplied to the lottery gaming authority from the lottery provider, the lottery provider maintaining the verification file on the second server system.
 7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the code entered by the player in the second server system is the same validation code entered in the first server system for validation of the lottery ticket.
 8. The method as in claim 7, wherein the validation code is provided on the lottery ticket under a scratch-off coating that is removed by the player.
 9. The method as in claim 6, wherein the code entered by the player in the second server system is different than the validation code entered by the lottery personnel in the first server system.
 10. The method as in claim 9, wherein the code entered by the player and the validation code are provided on the lottery ticket under the same or separate scratch-off areas on the ticket.
 11. The method as in claim 10, wherein the code entered by the player is randomly generated and linked to a specific verification record in the verification file.
 12. The method as in claim 11, wherein the code is provided in machine-readable form on the lottery ticket for subsequent reading and entry by a device that is in communication with the second server system.
 13. A computer implemented system for verifying lottery tickets that are provided to players by a lottery gaming authority, comprising: on a first server system maintained by the lottery gaming authority, the first server system comprising a validation file having validation records for the lottery tickets provided to the players, the respective validation records containing information as to the winning status of the lottery ticket and, for a winning ticket, the value of a prize amount; the first server system being accessible by authorized lottery personnel for verifying the status of a lottery ticket submitted for redemption by a player by entering a validation code provided on the lottery ticket, the validation code linked to a specific validation record for the respective lottery ticket; a second server system comprising a verification file having verification records for the lottery tickets provided to the players, the respective verification records containing information as to the winning status of the lottery ticket; the second server system accessible by players prior to redemption of the lottery ticket, the second server system configured to provide the player with the winning or losing status of the lottery ticket when the player enters a code provided on the lottery ticket that is linked to the specific verification record for the lottery ticket; and wherein the player is thus independently informed of the status of their lottery ticket prior to submitting the lottery ticket to the lottery personnel for redemption.
 14. The system as in claim 13, wherein the verification records in the verification file also include information indicating the prize amount associated with a respective winning lottery ticket, wherein the player is also informed of the prize amount when verifying a winning lottery ticket.
 15. The system as in claim 13, wherein the second server system is accessible by players via the Internet with an Internet-enabled device.
 16. The system as in claim 13, wherein the verification file stored on the second game server is a form of the validation file stored on the first server system.
 17. The system as in claim 13, wherein the verification records in the verification file also include information that positively indicates to the player a losing status of a lottery ticket.
 18. The system as in claim 13, wherein the validation file and the verification file are generated by a lottery provider, the validation file supplied to the lottery gaming authority from the lottery provider, the lottery provider maintaining the verification file on the second server system.
 19. The system as in claim 18, wherein the code entered by the player in the second server system is the same validation code entered in the first server system for validation of the lottery ticket.
 20. The system as in claim 19, wherein the code entered by the player is provided on the lottery ticket under a scratch-off coating that is removed by the player.
 21. The system as in claim 18, wherein the code entered by the player in the second server system is different than the validation code entered by the lottery personnel in the first server system.
 22. The system as in claim 21, wherein the code entered by the player and the validation code are provided on the lottery ticket under the same or separate scratch-off areas on the ticket.
 23. The system as in claim 22, wherein the code entered by the player is randomly generated and linked to a specific verification record in the verification file.
 24. The system as in claim 23, wherein the code is provided in machine-readable form on the lottery ticket for subsequent reading and entry by a device that is in communication with the second server system. 